Daddy woke this morning and said 'Natalie the Natcat, you are blooming!"
Daddy said that I look so good, my coat is good, and I have filled out. I hear now a bit...and let Mommy know it, too. I am sleeping with Mommy and Daddy every night. Last night I gave Daddy the smacky paw because he touched my leg and Big vet thinks I may have some arthritis there. But they admired me, and said how well I am looking and how I have so much more energy now....yes, even for sleeping!
Asisde from the dustmop, the bed is warm, the food is good, and I am happy. I just don't like what I term 'the beast under the bed' as that is where the Dustmop tends to go when she is in here out of her cage.
The RB has slunk in here to annoy me. As always, he wants to trouble me, and sleep exactly where I do. Mommy doesn't see it, he is an instigator. Daddy does though.
But I want to thank you all for this honor...Cat of the Day! But Kit-tahs, aren't we all Cats of the Day, every day! We have those pawrents of ours understanding this! Yes, though, I thank you all for this great honor!
Mommy is eyeing the RB, he's come to lay on the bed, too close to me for her to be content and she is watching him. He is very Dominant, especially now that the Orange Ruffy is in the hospital. Mommy thinks he's very Alpha, and she is right. He is also very annoying.
Today I will enjoy this honor, and ignore the Dustmop, which will be in it's cage. Mommy thinks the Dustmop just wants to be Alpha, too, and yet is very afraid of other cats. I don't know why...but sometimes I guess that is the way it goes. I fear no other cat except the RB jumping on me when I'm in the box. And Daddy put a quick stop to that!
I know with friends like you my Kit-tahs and their Pawrents I can do anything...and I thank you all so much for thinking of me with your wonderful gifts. I am going to get Mommy to send out thank you's personally to all of you as soon as she can-she has become a rather non dilligant secretary. It's hard getting good help nowadays.
I want to purr to each of you my thanks, send head rubs to those of you who have been so very kind and supportive, and have been there through some trying times.

Dear all,
Forgive me for not posting sooner-Mommy has not been able to devote time to my writings as she should. Our handsome orange male cat, Ruffy, is in the hospital! I saw Mommy take out the scary carrier yesterday and was worried, but it was the big carrier for Ruffy. She scooped him up without much protest from him and put him in it. And then she took him out.
Mommy and Daddy told us that he would hopefully be back today.

Ruffy had two bad teeth-the last of his teeth, Kit-tahs. Big vet explained to Mommy and Daddy that this is not unusual with some FIV+ cats. While he is there they will also check out his elbow, which is paining him, and check for asthma. They must also do something else, because he's backed up with constipation.

My appointment is next Tuesday.

I am afraid of the Dustmop, which has the tendancies of a Tasmanian Devil. It yells, it hides under the bed and ambushes Ruffy...it hasn't done it to the RB yet. It would rue the day it did, I think, because the RB is a vicious cur. He ambushed me when I was using the box yesterday, and Daddy had to come in and put a stop to it. Daddy and Mommy have been carrying me to the litter box when the Dustmop is out, and Mommy sleeps with me very close and Daddy, too. I still feel nervous. Mommy says we are all at odds because of the different energy. She said it's always the way of it when someone new comes in, but doesn't remember it being so crazy like this before. No one was ever afraid to use the box before.

Mommy and Daddy had talked abuot perhaps if things haven't settled by next week, letting the rescue know the Dustmop is up for adopation, because Mommy and Daddy don't want to make our quality of life here bad.

I just don't like the Dustmop. It wants to take over our world. It hides under the bed and waits.

I hope, dear Kit-tahs, that things will improve soon. Back to my beauty sleep now that Mommy is here to watch...

There is someone new here...it smells like a cat. It looks like something you would mop the floor with, but it has large golden eyes.
I have spent the last few days being dramatic. I have gotten into my bed and turned by back to Mommy and Daddy. I have hissed at the Dustmop. I have growled at it. It has looked at me and I have hissed as I make my way to the box. It's cage is right near the box. I don't like that. The cage is covered there by a towel.
It was bad enough when it was caged, but now Mommy has left the cage door open and the dustmop has spent most of the time under the dresser. Once in awhile it will peep out.
Mommy has been trying to pay me more attention, me and the cat out front called Bella. I know that Mommy worries about Bella. I used to get jealous when Mommy would say 'She's my heart', but no, not any more. I have a generous heart. And I know the Bella cat went through alot with Mommy.
But I will not give in to the Dustmop.
It's a small animal, like me. Mommy handles it gently, and speaks softly to it. It almost touched my heart when I noticed it's all fur, and not much flesh. I could tell her, if I were speaking to her, that if nothing else, you're going to get plenty to eat here. Take a look at all of us. Notice the meals come 4 times a day. No, you will be ok.
Someone has notched it's ear. I hate that. If they do it to a cat who lives outdoors, it's one thing. But this little thing...Mommy said she believes she belonged to somoene. Mommy is not so sure she did not become lost. Mommy is not sure that this little creature is not some purebred cat that she doesn't know the breed of.
Mommy of course, thinks we all have purebreds in our past. Mommy keeps telling daddy she thinks I'm Abbi-something. I just think this...I am a cat who has made it to be Elderwise. I don't care about much else.
I hissed at the RB. He charged the little dustmop. It wasn't nice of him. He's a brat, a scoundrel. But of course we knew that.
I apoligise to all of you for not writing sooner. They have cut off Mommy's access to Catster at her place of Employment. They need a good sound talking to, and I informed Mommy I intend to do it...as soon as I finish being mad at her and Daddy over the Dustmop.
Mommy will probably be providing some future pictures of her....but Mommy has been tired lately, and I don't know why. I guess its all 5 of us. Oh, and 6 counting the Ghost Kitty, Dusty. But no one told her to take in the Dustmop, did they?

My mother was lovely yesterday to me! She came in with a warm moist little cloth that smelled good and washed me with it! She gave me a great massage with it, rubbing it all over my coat. Mommy took a picture and is going to try to post it...she must because her camera disk is full and she has to delete things.

Afterward, she brushed me very well, and it felt so wonderful. Daddy laughs because I pull the brush to me and rub my mouth against it. Bella does this too. She was also brushed-I could smell her on the brush. Bella has long fur, and mommy brushes her daily. She brushed the boys, too, but is always careful of Smokie....he gets over stimilated sometimes and doesn't always enjoy being brushed...he would rather be petted.

Afterward, I was fed, and mommy said I looked so happy...and I was. I felt so, well, pretty!

I want to thank all of you for your concern. Mommy and Daddy have to make an appointment for me yet with the specialist. Daddy had to go to his other job this afternoon, but bought our car,who's name is Snowball to the car vet because she was making noise after being on the NY roads with all the new potholes from the weather. Well, turns out Daddy has to rent a car because Snowball will be at the car vet two days because she has loose things and a broke emergency brake. Daddy and Mommy were like 'as soon as we can we're outta here-back South!'
Mommy says she is tired of the bad weather...however, I am warm and dry and happy.
This has put off the 'new kid on the block' coming til tomorrow, I believe. She will probably be out in the other room...they must put her in a cage. My dears. I do feel sorry-I have been in a cage, and it is unpleasant. But Mommy and Daddy feel it's for the best. There is no seperate room to put her in, and she wants the boys to get used to her and none of us to scare her too much.
Well, she's a semi long hair...like Bella. She is FIV+, like the Mauraders. But I will bear it, the having another feline here. After all, I once wandered the streets, and understand too well.

Ah, enjoying the lovely warmth of this comfortable bed, and enjoying feeling like an attractive, well groomed girl again.

I hope everyone is staying safe, and warm and happy and dry inside.
Last night we went to the vet. Mommy and Daddy waited outside when I got checked out. While mommy and daddy waited, Rachel went out-who is my favorite tech because she does not fear my tiny paws...and she told my Mommy and Daddy that I looked great and she was so happy to see me! She came out too to say thank you because Mommy had baked browines for them.Ruffy had bene sitting in front of the stove when she did this...he always thinks it's chicken...but it was for the vet.
So Mommy and Daddy were told I have healed nicely. No more cone!!!!!
They gave mommy and daddy a big envelope for the referral. They are not far away, closeby where Mommy and Daddy live.
Mommy says she is nervous.
I said I am ok so long as I get my meals.
Yesterday I made Mommy laugh. I woke up from my nap and I was very hungry. I went in to the living room/kitchen area and MEOWED!!!! MOMMY!!!! I AM HUNGRY!!!! WHEN ARE WE GETTING SOMETHING HERE!!!? The RB looked at me down his nose as though I was demented. The Ruffy cat looked at me alarmed, but hopeful. Anything that brings an extra plate of food, my dears, is to him just fine. So Mommy fed us again and I ate and I was very happy.
I then went and laid on my little mat!
Ah, no cone! I am so happy! I am resting on the bed here, and Daddy will be home in a bit. I am putting up with the RB and the Orange cat. They have been behaving lately...and I think they have ulterior motives.
So to all, have a wonderful and relaxing day...the sun is actually out and shining in the window....ahhhhh...

She is annoyed and I am laying here feeling sorry for myself. I am on my new little baby blanket. Mommy saw me looking at my ouchie...ok, I was grooming it, and irritated where the stitches are. Mommy came over twice and said no. But I can't hear her. What did she expect?
And then she put this nasty thing back on my head.
No fair, Mommy! It's mean.
I am sitting here looking miserable. I hope she will take it off.

Pretty soon she'll be getting ready to cart me off to the vet. I never get a break.

Alas, I am moved...I don't know what to say! And I meow humbly to you, though I would not do so to my brothers....
I am on the Front Page for Diary pick....my mommy is honored. My daddy....the betrayer....does not yet know. He left early to organize the food he is preparing for some human thing called a Superbowl party at a 'bar' where he is doing the 'food'. The food for them. I'm sure it will be good...but we won't get any!
However, Mommy is in our good graces. She has made chicken.

Mommy is worried. I didn't eat much yet today, just some chicken, and some chicken for breakfast. I just get tired of the canned stuff.
Mommy is considering trying me on something else...but we must be careful. My stomach is delicate you know.

But this is just a short little note to all who have been so kind...my kitty angels...both above, and who dwell with me on this plane...but we're not on a plane like in the air...well, they may be, though I rather think that they aren't, and enjoy whatever they wish.

But I want to thank you all for your kindess. Mommy and Daddy are honored, too!

All you kitties today...enjoy, and make sure that your Humans give you a Super-Bowl filled with good things to eat and drink! Maybe mommy will let me have some milk!

I am so honored...

Do you suppose Roo will notice? Perhaps not...perhaps Tilly is enough, purring for him as she does...sigh.

Ah, well, one will not be 'catty' at my age. (A totally misunderstood human word!) And I too, purr for Roo, and for any other lovely kit-tah out there right now with the big D. Let us make sure everyone has enough insulin to keep them healthy! What can we do about that, Catster folks? Can we write or help somehow...willing to put my paws behind it...

and Ive rambled on so...

off to see if Mommy will be forthcoming with a treat!

Head rubs to all the great and wonderful Angels here and in the Summerland-Rainbow Bridge...purrs....

Ah, Kit-tahs!
I am feeling happy and warm today. And Daddy is excited!
And Ruffy is very excited. I have been watching him from here. Daddy came home early and is taking good smelling food things out of bags, and Ruffy is doing 'shiver tail', where he opens his eyes very wide, and hunches his back, standing on his tiptoes and making these little 'mewps' as though he were a tiny kitten. Sometimes he even says 'now!' but Daddy is telling him he already ate.
Daddy has chicken and Ruffy carries on so when any sort of food is involved, but especially chicken. Now the RB has started, too. He's learned from the best, I suppose, though he's not as fawning as Ruffy, well, he couldn't be. I have even seen Ruffy sit upo on his hind legs like a dog. Mommy swears when he does that he has some Scottish Fold in his background. I think he's just had alot of hungry cats.
Daddy is a chef, and he's doing an 'event' for 'Superbowl Sunday and a 'pre Superbowl' event. Ruffy gets excited when he hears this. He thinks it means he, the Orange menace, is going to get a 'Super bowl' filled with food. He's going to be dissapointed, I think.
I don't understand it, some of the odd things humans do, these strange things they put on the screen in the living room, where big humans rush at other big humans over a funny shaped ball. My kit-tah friends, they don't even bat at it, or fall on their backs and kick it with their feet. They just all fall in a large, heavy heap. If Ruffy were to fall upon me that way, I would be squished flat.
But if Daddy is cooking for some event here, and some of the food is Chicken, expect Ruffy to not move from his place til he gets something, even if Daddy winds up stepping on Ruffy's tail. That has happened. It still does not deter him.
I have not yet ventured into the living room, to stare either of them down, yet. I was ok til they started the stalking thing. Mommy had closed the door when she left between the rooms, but Daddy has it open now, and I am listening to Ruffy's pleas for some chicken. Goodness already. It does not smell like chicken...it does smell good, but I know Daddy will bring me a treat is this is sometihng to be had. I can lay here, like the Elderwise kitty I am, and be fed on my comfortable expanse.
Daddy comes in and pets my little head. I am glad he's home, and Ruffy and Smokie follow him to make sure I didn't get something when they did not.
Now I'm alone in here again, and the good smells are coming from the kitchen.
Ah, well, I have been brushed, my coat is sleek, my nails trimmed. No cone of shame. I find a patch of sun and ahhhh...life is good.